Working until 40 weeks... experiences?

[AnnaBanana25]

Just that really. I appreciate with different jobs/distances etc it will be different for everyone but if you could let me know if you worked until 40 weeks and how you found it, it would be a big help. Thanks!

[courtheels]

I worked until 40 weeks for financial reasons. I was lucky as I didn't have any health issues with my pg and wasn't affected by tiredness. I was waitressing 30 hours a week so it was quite an active job, and my bump didn't show until the final month.

[iwouldgoouttonight]

I worked until 39 weeks, I was lucky because I had a straightforward pregnancy and felt fine and never really got to the waddling about feeling knackered stage. But DS was born five days early so it meant I only had a couple of days off before he was born. It was fine but you just need to bear in mind you could be early.

[Kellyjdancer]

I am planning to work until 40 weeks, currently 36 weeks. But I have a desk job and can work from home. So I can sit at home and wait for baby or sit at home and work and wait for baby. I am happy that my mind is still stimulated and that I'll have more time off with baby.

[iwouldgoouttonight]

Also I worked quite close to home, I cycled twenty mins each way, so I didn't have an uncomfortable long train journey or anything.

[HandbagsandSnotrags]

Also worked until 39 weeks (well 38.5). No problems except it was summer so v hot but tbh work was cooler than home.

Main thing was I finished Fri and dd was born Monday. I didn't mind at time but on reflection (7 years and 3 DC later) a few last days of me time might have been nice.

[AnnaBanana25]

Thanks guys. Keep the experience s coming!

I'm having a straightforward pregnancy with no adverse symptoms, and work is a 20 min drive away (desk job). I think it will be doable and preferable to staying at home, yes it could be early but could be late too.

I think because it is my first people are enjoying painting a picture of how horrible I will feel. Good to see others have done it and not felt terrible!

[Vintagebeads]

I worked up.untill 40wks on both.
I had no issues and tbh was less tired being at work-desk job-
I think once you feel fine then their are no issues.
I went in two days later on my first so no real downtime but moneywise I was glad of it.

[BrianTheMole]

I worked up to 40 weeks with my first. Finished work on the friday, baby arrived on the monday. It was fine, although I did have a colleague lined up to take me to the hospital if necessary.

[tinkerbellvspredator]

I worked up to 38 weeks and went into labour at 39 weeks. Physically I don't remember it being difficult (office job, easy pregnancy) and the day before I went into labour I was out doing a bit of dancing.

But I did get really bored with work, I just couldn't be bothered and felt really tired by the end of the day. I remember an awful boring meeting with a consultant at 4pm where I was really struggling to stay awake and had no engagement with what was being said at all. The only thing keeping me awake was how embarrassing it would be to fall asleep, I was pinching myself!

[greentshirt]

Ive just finished at 35+1, if I had needed to for financial or time on the other side with baby reasons I would probably planned to finish at 38 weeks. As it is im glad I have as I seem to have developed all sorts of issues in the last week or so which would probably have got me signed off about now anyway.

Probably better to plan to finish later rather than earlier and not be able to extend due to cover etc at work

[NickyEds]

I worked up to 38 weeks mainly as it was a really busy time and didn't want to miss out on the trade!! Wish i'd gone to 38 and DS was 3 days early. I had a good pregnancy with few symptoms and no real problems- I didn't really get a waddle on and felt fine right up to birth-not terrible at all!

[MummytoMog]

Did up to 39 weeks both times, with a long commute but a desk job. Was totally fine but both were born after 40 weeks. Didn't want to get bored at home! Might finish earlier this time as it's been a bit more tiring so far...

[MammaGnomes]

I worked up to 39 weeks. Finished on the Friday. Waters broke on the Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday I had an awful cold so had no time at all to enjoy before the baby.

I'm glad I worked so late into the pregnancy as I'm about to discuss returning and every week really does count.

congratulations and good luck

[purplemurple1]

I worked until 38+6 and stopped a few hours after my waters broke (I was not having contractions and was waiting for OH to come home and take me to hospital).

It was fine, I was driving long distance (5hrs each way, and stays in hotels) until 37 weeks and after that I was working from home mostly.

SImilar to others I had a straight ofrward pg and a small bump which helped I suppose.

[VelvetGecko]

39 weeks. Running a cafe so on my feet all day. Had an easy pregnancy though, apart from sciatica, and only suffered tiredness in the first couple of months. Ds came on his due date.